There will be no regular business news today. It will be deferred until

Monday.

 

President Bush has called for a day of prayer and remembrance. Let us pray for the dead, missing, emergency  workers and the victims losing their loved ones, especially the children and  all the children in the United States. Their lives, as all of ours will  change forever.

    We should all to continue to fly the flag. Now is a time for all of us to

put out petty differences aside and unite as Americans for Americans. Lastly,

it will be soon that out military will be engaged in war our thoughts and

prayers should include them also.

 

I would like to share with readers a controversy here at Leasing News

among our advisors and myself, as editor. It is long, but I think it

is very appropriate today to read and think about.

 

Let’s start from the very beginning, one of the reactions to the terrorist

attacks, that we printed:

 

“It astounds me to think today how many people met their maker. It is even

more astounding to think how many people will not spend eternity with him

because they did not accept his salvation thru his son Christ. Makes you

want to make sure that you have your heart right with God because you never

know what tomorrow will bring.”

 

Tim Baker

www.visioncap.net

 

Leasing News then received these two e-mails the next day:

 

Kit [Attribution authorized]

 

I was quite moved by your publication of the words of your readers regarding

the horrible disaster in my beloved New York.  As I was reading Leasing News

I determined that I would send my thanks to you for a very special issue.

Then, toward the bottom, I reached the e-mail from Tim Baker:  "It astounds

me to think today how many people met their maker. It is even more

astounding to think how many people will not spend eternity with him because

they did not accept his salvation thru his son Christ. Makes you want to

make sure that you have your heart right with God because you never know

what tomorrow will bring."

 

It astounds me, Mr. Baker, to think that you would take this most tragic

single day in our nation's history to spread your proselytizing message of

hate.  No, Mr. Baker, neither I nor my brethren who are bombed daily in

Israel, nor millions of others, have accepted your version of what God finds

worthy.  I also know that no true believer in the beautiful, compassionate

words of Jesus Christ would find this time to spew thinly veiled venom.  May

God have mercy on your warped soul, Mr. Baker.

 

Kit, it is with great sorrow that I respond to your wonderful memorial issue

in this manner.  But respond I must.  I believe that terrorism, whether by

bombing buildings, or by promulgating hate disguised as religious thought,

must be responded to harshly.

 

Barry Reitman

KEYSTONE EQUIPMENT LEASING, INC.

baldguy@keystoneleasing.com

 

 

Thanks for printing my tribute and all the others in this past issue. It has

been a quite traumatic time here in the northeast, especially. Everyone

either knows someone affected or knows someone who knows someone.  One

exception I must take to the issue was Tim Baker's proselytizing.  He has

the right to believe whatever he wants, but his comments smack of

insincerity and of anti-Semitic values.  I do not know him and have no axe

to grind.   I keep my religion beliefs to myself as do most people in a

business setting.  I don't need to read about salvation and religious

belief. I will go to my temple next week if that's what I want. I think it

was insensitive of you to print his thoughts verbatim. I know that there

must be many out there who feel the same way as I do.  I also did not like

when George W. Bush was inaugurated, his chaplain needed to invoke Jesus'

name as well. There are many in this country, Jews, Muslims and others who

do not need to be subjected to such thought. Please quote me.

 

Steven B. Geller, CLP

Leasing Solutions LLC

www.leasingsolutionsllc.com

20 Dike Drive, Wesley Hills, NY 10952

sgeller@leasingsolutionsllc.com

phone:(845)362-6106 fax: (845) 354-2803

cell phone: (914) 552-0842

 

 

e-mail to Steve and Barry:

 

 I am thinking about whether we want to run  this. I don’t know if I want to print it. My first reaction is it is divisive, meaning not in the spirit of uniting us, but separating us.

 

I will pass  this on to the Leasing News advisors for their opinion.

 

Kit Menkin

 

(Dear Advisors:)

 

It is my inclination not to publish this. I don’t want to inhibit an open

forum, but this is a time we must all come together. That is very

important. What do you think?

 

Rob Yohe:

 

I agree in your response not to publish this at this time. Religion is

what has caused this hate. To say  one faith is superior to another is just not the message to sent at this  time.

 

Sincerely,

Rob

MLOST@aol.com

 

 

 

 

Bob Teichman:

 

Thanks for cc'ing me on Barry's e-mail. When I saw Tim Baker's comments I

got very angry (as did Barry and, I am sure, others) and was about to fire

off a couple of heated e-mails to you and to Baker. Then I calmed down. I

think too much of you to believe that you would deliberately allow this kind

of intolerant comment to appear on  LeasingNews without making some kind of

comment of your own. So I decided that you were probably overwhelmed and let

it slip by unnoticed.

 

Baker's comments are a perfect object lesson. They reflect the same type of

thinking as other religious fanatics, such as the terrorists. MY religion is

the ONLY religion. MY heaven is the ONLY heaven. If you don't believe the way

I do, you 1) will go to hell; 2) are less than human; 3) don't belong on this

earth, etc ,etc.

 

And what is really scary is that Baker probably doesn't even realize how

wrong his thinking is.

 

This isn't "Christian vs. Jew". It is tolerance vs.  intolerance. It is understanding vs. narrow-mindedness. And, as I said  earlier, it is a fit subject for the Sunday Sermon, but not for Leasing News.

 

A subject for your Sunday Sermon

 

Bob Teichman, CLP

Teichman Financial Training

3030 Bridgeway

Sausalito, CA 94965

Tel: 415-331-6445

Fax: 415-331-6451

e-mail: BoTei@aol.com

 

 

Bob Rodi:

 

I agree with you that you should not publish the e-mail from Barry Reitman

as it would only make leasing news a forum for both Christian and Jewish

extremists until you cut it off.  I certainly understand Barry's point as I

am a great sympathizer and supporter of the people of Israel and the daily

struggle they face.  I also do not think that Tim Baker was necessarily

"proselytizing" a message of hate.  I think he was just being a good

Christian and "testifying" openly.   I don't think he showed any hatred for

Jews but he did show that he loves Christ to the point of having blind

faith.  This may have struck a nerve with Barry as it may remind him of the

religious fanaticism that led to the terrorist attacks on Tuesday and those

that the Israelis endure constantly  That doesn't make Mr. Baker a hate

monger but he certainly does appear to be insensitive to the religious

beliefs of others.

 

I believe it was a rather innocuous statement and Barry, in an emotionally

charged situation, may have over reacted to it.  At any rate leasing news is

not the forum for this.

 

As far as those who have leveled criticism at you for printing the comments

of readers in the wake of Tuesday's atrocities, let them be.

 

Bob

 

President

LeaseNOW, Inc.

drlease@leasenow.com

www.leasenow.com

1-800-321-LEAS (5327)x 101

 

---

 

I totally agree with Bob Rodi's views.

 

Bruce Kropschot

Kropschot Financial Services

116 Estuary Drive

Vero Beach, FL 32963

(561) 234-4544

 

~~~

 

Ginny Young:

 

I did not see Tim Baker's comments and I don't know him so it would be

impossible for me to comment.  If Bob Rodi does know Tim Baker then I am

confident that his scenario is most likely correct. I will trust Bob that

he understands the “spirit” of the message.   I do agree with Bob

Teichman's object lesson and his words are the main reason I have trouble

with religion in general. ( I am very spiritual and do answer to a higher

power, however)

 

I don't think  that leasingnews is the correct forum for the object lesson

especially considering the horrific recent events in our country.

 

It's only my opinion......

Ginny

 

~~

 

You are the editor and owner of LN and you are the only one that should

make the final decision on what to print or not print. Unfortunately, I

think you are in a no-win proposition right now, but you have to use your

judgment on how to proceed since you will take the praise and the

criticism--not your advisors since you are our shield.

 

 Let your conscience make the decision and I will support you 100%.

 

Take care and God Bless.

Charlie

clester@lpifinancial.com

 

~~~

 

    I for one am appalled that the nauseating acts of violence perpetrated on

innocents, and innocence, have mutated into this inexplicable infighting

among us, all of whom are victims of the same crime. No doubt the frustration

arising from fighting an invisible and untouchable enemy fosters intense, yet

misdirected, anger. But are we neither strong nor enlightened enough to

realize the critical importance of solidarity in this time of unprecedented

crisis?

    We each have the right to our own beliefs and lifestyles. But, as the

saying goes, the freedom to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose. This

is NOT the time to test the boundaries of our tolerance. This is the ultimate

test of our unity and collective resolve. It is essential that we demonstrate

the courage and compassion to combat this cowardly enemy in unanimity. Have

we not experienced enough destruction already?

    I expect that many of the people writing to Leasing News see  it as

perhaps the sole vehicle for voicing their anger and fear. That in itself is

laudable. We do need a forum to air our feelings about this horrific

injustice. By the same token, wisdom dictates that we all exercise extreme

caution and respect in asserting our opinions, lest we pour oil on this

raging fire. After all, last time I checked, we were all on the same side.

    Imagine how would the terrorist faction who instigated this atrocity

would react to the exchange taking place in the context of this tiny universe

we call Leasing News. Do we want to afford these killers the additional

satisfaction of watching us crumble for lack of unity? Are we so weak to not

realize that WE, as a people, Christians, Jews, and all Americans have been

collectively raped? I trust that no one involved in this heated exchange

wants to promote even more animosity. We have suffered enough!

    Come on people! This is no time for divisiveness. The terrorist is would

be thrilled to undermine the "United" in "United States". Let us not play

into their filthy hands. That is exactly what they want.

    Our only chance to repel this blind hatred is to invoke the power of

love. We can only eliminate these murderers if we act in concert, as did

they. As the platitude goes, united we stand, divided we fall. Even our

politicians have managed to cast aside, at least temporarily, their 

political differences to allow us the strength to combat this hideous enemy

together. Let us follow their lead.

    Peace!

Ken Greene

U.S.A.

~~~

 

Steve Geller:

 

I still do not believe that we should be allowing an open forum for

religious beliefs in the Leasing News. We have enough trouble with the

credibility and business ethics of certain leasing leaders.  If Tim Baker

wants to believe that some people will not be meeting Jesus, that is his

opinion and it should have no place in a business publication.  I respect

his right to his beliefs. I am not, and I do not believe that Barry was,

over reacting in the heat of the current events.  Many Jews lost their life

on Tuesday as well. I am sure Mr. Baker's personal view is that they left

this world without meeting Jesus also.  I don't believe it was innocuous

(especially not to your Jewish or Moslem or other non-Christian  readers.)

If anything has no place in the Leasing News it is any religious

discussions.  Let Mr. Baker testify in Church or in private.

 

Steven B. Geller, CLP

Leasing Solutions LLC

www.leasingsolutionsllc.com

20 Dike Drive, Wesley Hills, NY 10952

sgeller@leasingsolutionsllc.com

phone:(845)362-6106 fax: (845) 354-2803

cell phone: (914) 552-0842

 

cc: of e-mail to Bob Rodi

 

Bob.....  I understand what Tim is doing and I don't really

believe vehemently that he is anti-Semitic. My big trouble is with Kit,

sorry to say. He should not have given Tim a forum for his bible thumping,

as you call it.  I would like to Kit to figure out a way to disassociate

leasing News and the Advisory Board from those views and any non-business

views.  It was a major mistake to publish those views. No one will convince

me otherwise. - Steve

 

Steven B. Geller, CLP

Leasing Solutions LLC

www.leasingsolutionsllc.com

20 Dike Drive, Wesley Hills, NY 10952

sgeller@leasingsolutionsllc.com

phone:(845)362-6106 fax: (845) 354-2803

cell phone: (914) 552-0842

 

 

Andrew Thorn:

 

 

Kit, enclosed is the copy of the e-mail I sent to Barry

 

It is very important for me that we begin to see that we all worship the

same God.  We call Him by different names and we worship Him differently,

but there is only one Supreme Being.  Different faiths brand their views by

different names but sooner or later we will all have an interview with our

Creator.  In that interview He will not ask us how much money we made or

what kind of car we drove or how big our house was.  He will ask us how we

treated our fellow man, if we were honest in our dealings and how we treated

our spouses and our children.  We will then have an opportunity to apply for

salvation.  We all, will no doubt find ourselves short of meeting the

requirements.  This is where the central teaching of the Atonement, a

message found in all religions will make up the difference. 

 

This is not about religion, but a belief in God our Creator.  I can not

believe that because somebody in Africa never received the teachings a

mainstream religion would be banned from living with God.  That would

definitely satisfy the requirements of justice but would leave mercy

unsatisfied.  I believe in a merciful God.  I can not believe that if the

traditions and teachings of my family caused me to believe strongly in a

false doctrine that I would then be sent straight to HELL.

 

We need God in our lives.  I believe in that the God of Abraham, Isaac and

Jacob lives.  I have found beauty and peace in the teachings of Mohammed.  I

have been enlightened by the teachings of Buddha.  I rejoice in the

teachings of Christ.  I have found clarity in the teachings of the Book of

Mormon.